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North Kent Golf Club, Foots Cray, Bexley. (1907 - 1909)
The club was founded in 1907.
In October 1907 it was reported that the course of the North Kent Golf Club at Bexley was rapidly approaching completion and was in fine order. Willie Park, who had laid out the course, had made a feature of pot bunkers, some of which were of such proportion as to require 300 loads of soil to clear them out. Archie Simpson had recently visited the course and was very impressed by what he had seen.
The course was laid out on 150 acres on sand soil with gravel subsoil, the clubhouse when complete would have 50 bedrooms with half available immediately. The professional to 1909 was James A Donaldson.
The following is an extract from an article that appeared in the Aberdeen Journal on Thursday 19 December 1907. "The North Kent Golf Club, Foots Cray, Kent, of which James Donaldson, late of Bieldside, has been appointed professional, will be opened on January 1st. The 150 acres of picturesque parklands, comprising the historic estate which the club recently leased from Captain R N Vansittart, have, under the supervision of Willie Park, been transformed into two excellent courses. A special course has been provided for the lady members of the club, and provision has also been made for croquet, lawn tennis, bowls, archery, boating and trout fishing. It already has a long list of members."
In fact the opening of the club was delayed until January 1st 1908.
From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 11 January 1908. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In a report in January 1908 it stated that the official opening would feature a match between Harry Vardon (South Herts) and home professional James Donaldson. The exact date was not agreed but it was hoped it would be early May.
The articles below report on the official opening of the course. It appears to have had an impressive start and you would think its future was assured.
From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 16 May 1908.
From the Bystander 13 May 1908. Images © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In 1908/9 the secretary was A B Field, North Cray Place, Foots Cray. Listed as a 27 hole course, James A Donaldson held the course record of 73. There was a membership of 314. Entry fee was £5/5/0 and subs £6/6/0. Visitors’ fees were 10/6 a week and £1/10/0 a month. Sunday play was allowed with caddies. The station at Bexley was 1 ½ miles away.
The club, unfortunately, would be very short lived.
The following report appeared in the Gloucestershire Echo on Friday 14th May 1909. "Meetings of creditors and contributories were held yesterday at Bankruptcy Buildings in the liquidation of the North Kent Golf Club (Ltd). The gross liabilities amounted to £12,294. There were no assets available for debenture-holders or creditors, and the deficiency as regards contributories was £20,807.
The club re-appeared as Kent County Golf Club in December 1909 (see separate entry on this website.)
Course location. Reproduced from the {1909} Ordnance Survey Map.
The Google Map below pinpoints the location of the former course.